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Sudan's Military Says It Has Taken Control And Arrested President Omar Al-Bashir

Sudan's defense minister says a transitional military council will rule the country for two years — a plan that doesn't satisfy many of the thousands who demanded a regime change.
Sudanese soldiers stand guard on armored vehicles as demonstrators protest against President Omar al-Bashir's regime near the army headquarters in the Sudanese capital Khartoum Thursday.

Updated at 12 p.m. ET

A military council has taken control of Sudan and arrested longtime President Omar al-Bashir, the country's military said Thursday. The move comes after opposition protesters recently gained new momentum in demanding al-Bashir leave office.

Sudan's defense minister, Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, said the "regime" had been removed and its head arrested, as he announced the coup in a televised statement.

The minister said a transitional military council will rule the country for two years before any democratic elections will take place.

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